In the church where I grew up and later in anther church where I had my first ministry job, we did this thing called Pot-Luck Sunday (Sometimes more lucky than others *wink wink*). Actually, every fellowship was either provided by the church or included members bringing their own food. It was not required for everyone to bring food, but it was known everyone was invited to come and have a good time.
It wasn’t until I was attending a mid-sized to large church that I came across the fellowship meal that required the purchase of a meal/ticket. At the time I was attending a small group bible study and was off early from another job, so I had time to go. I believe it was some High attendance Sunday fellowship meal, but I was mostly concerned with having some fellowship and a good time. I remember standing in the line and getting to the front where a person was taking money. They asked me for money and I didn’t have any. I didn't even know I was going to need to pay. I don’t carry cash on me much anymore, but at the time I really didn’t have any extra money anyway (As said previously, I was living paycheck to paycheck). Luckily, one of the people in my small group was close by and decided to help pay for me so I could join in the meal and fellowship. I suppose I would not have been bared from the fellowship, just the food, but that was the first time I became aware of this type of fellowship meal and the possible dividing line it creates.
I remember a few years later attending other churches and have seen similar things. People buy tickets so they can be part of the fellowship meal. If you cannot buy a ticket, you cannot come. Now, I realize if the person truly wanted, they could likely call up the church and get a scholarship, but imagine doing that every time there was a fellowship meal. Wouldn’t you feel odd having to be paid for? Wouldn’t you feel odd not being able to provide for yourself and having others pay for you? And I haven’t even mentioned how this could be for a family who is struggling, especially a single-parent family. Would you be more likely to ask for help or just not attend? Think of all those people, who want to come, but simply cannot afford to come. They are not going to make a fuss, so as the church we will never know how many people we are unwittingly turning away from the church, making them know they are separate and different from the rest of us.
Let's Go Even Deeper...
I wonder about this when churches put on dinners for the poor for Thanksgiving or buy presents and dinners for people who cannot afford them at Christmas time. Of course I give, but in the back of my mind, to me it separates us from them, doesn’t it? Why can we not invite a second family to our Christmas table? Why can we not have them over for dinner? Is it because we like our holiday a certain way? It is because we might feel a bit awkward unwrapping our new expensive I-Phone or I-Pod or Laptop while the mother of the poor family only gets some cash or a $50 gift card or some clothes that someone else picked out and bought?
I am not saying these things as if I know all the answers and I am certainly not immune to self-criticism. No, I say these things to myself as well. I want to be a better Christian, a better Christ follower. And the love of Christ compels me forward. The Scriptures bid me listen and learn. The early church and that great cloud of witnesses tell me to serve and love and share, instead of take and separate and hoard. Whether we like it or not, there is a great divide. I don’t know what the answer is... I really do not, but I believe if we are not aware of what is going on... If we are not even asking any questions, then we are not truly hearing Jesus, we are not truly in-tune with his heart that says all, from whatever walk of life are welcome.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. - Acts 2:42-47~ Daniel
